The applause thundered through the United Center in West Chicago as NBA legend Steve Kerr closed off his speech at the Democratic National Convention with this simple yet effective phrase: “In the words of the great Steph Curry, we can tell Donald Trump: Night Night.”
The reactions to this memorable moment were all over the place; some people were delighted, some didn’t care, and many others were outraged. However, what can’t be denied is that Kerr, like all sports figures, is gifted with a platform and attention. This platform allowed him to spread his political beliefs to millions of people and insert himself into the political discourse, showing the profound impact athletes can have in realms outside of sports.
Endorsements from athletes are nothing new in American politics; going back to the latter half of the 20th century, legends like Jackie Robinson, Wilt Chamberlin, and Muhammad Ali were vocal with their support for presidential candidates like Nelson Rockefeller, Nixon, and Reagan. The difference now is social media; the massive amounts of followers of modern-day athletes means athletes are sharing more about their lives than ever before.
Through posting pictures, videos, and messages online, they can present themselves as complex people with lives outside their sport. An important aspect is that they can spread messages to a global audience directly and instantaneously; some athletes feel a greater sense of responsibility to demand action for the causes they care about.
A notable example of the increase in political activism among athletes was the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, during the summer of 2020. It was the first major sports event after the pandemic and coupled with the rise of Black Lives Matter protests across the country, many NBA players had these social justice issues at the forefront of their minds.
As the games played out, it was impossible to miss the messaging as stars like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Donovan Mitchell donned jerseys, covered in messages like “Black Lives Matter,” “Equality,” and “Say Her Name.” These messages, along with the NBA’s partnership with racial justice and voting organizations, showed a commitment by a major sports league to push for the important beliefs of their players.
While many would see this intersection between sports and politics as a positive for both sides, Hall of Fame Coach Phil Jackson didn’t feel this way. In an interview on the Tetragrammaton podcast last year, he expressed his feelings on the situation in the NBA Bubble:
“It [the NBA during Bubble] was trying to cater to an audience or trying to bring a certain audience to the game… and they didn’t know it was turning other people off. People want to see sports as non-political. Politics stays out of the game. It doesn’t need to be there,” Jackson said.
This quote perfectly highlights the divide in the question of sports and politics. Supporters of the athletes argue that Phil Jackson, as an older, rich white man, might be able to separate sports and politics, but for many athletes, especially those from marginalized communities, this separation isn’t so simple. The belief that sports can be viewed in a vacuum free from the political issues of the day is unrealistic and privileged in today’s landscape.
People often forget athletes are citizens and people too; countless athletes see issues like police brutality and voter suppression as not a talking point but rather an issue that has shaped their lives. Therefore, their activism is not for publicity or clout, it is for working to better the lives of people they care about.
Just a few weeks ago, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was pulled out of his car and thrown to the ground by police officers during a traffic stop right outside Hardrock Stadium in Miami. While he admitted he didn’t act perfectly in this situation, he argued that the level of force was unnecessary. To some, this could help illustrate that these issues of police brutality and systemic racism don’t fully go away when you get famous.
Despite this, the consequences for speaking out on political issues can be very real, ranging from attacks online to being blacklisted in your sport. Muhammad Ali, known for his anti-war stance, lost his heavyweight title and faced numerous legal battles in the late 1960s due to his refusal to fight in Vietnam.
Unfortunately, athletes in the 21st century still get punished for pushing for social change. In 2016, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the National Anthem before games. He faced backlash from fans, owners, and even then-President Donald Trump. Because of this, when he became a free agent the next season, it seemed that no NFL team was willing to sign him. His protest, meant to highlight police brutality, appeared to facilitate his exclusion from the league.
“Leagues want to protect their product,” said Upper School History teacher Stephen Fitzpatrick, who teaches government and politics. According to Mr. Fitzpatrick, talent has to outweigh controversy for some teams to want to allow outspoken players on their roster.
Some students agree that sports and politics need some degree of separation.
“I think that politics should not be associated with teams or organized athletic companies,” said three-season varsity athlete and Hackley School Vice President Beniamino Iaderosa,“But athletes have the power to do good and make an impact with their voice and should have the right to express their opinion.”
While the debate over the intersection of sports and politics will continue to rage on, it is clear that the platform we give athletes provides an influential space for social change. From subtle gestures to bold statements, athletes have a unique opportunity to shape the public discourse, share concerns of communities they are a part of, and fight the status quo. I believe history shows us time and time again that their voices remain a powerful and necessary tool in struggles for justice and equality.